MUMBAI: Irked by certain media reports about his personal life and alleged crimes, defence counsel representing extradited gangster Abu Salem on Wednesday filed an application in the special TADA court objecting to such reports. The court has sent notices to the Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary and the State of Maharashtra. They have to file a reply by November 21 2005.

Defence lawyers said they had filed this application urging the court to prevent any reports about Salem coming in news. These reports, attributed to sources in the CBI, were denied by the agency later. The application listed a few instances including the reports of Salem possessing fake passports, those referring to his properties and bank accounts. It also pointed out certain instances speaking of his personal life like crying at the mention of his son, having his wife Monica Bedi only to help him, as he did not know English or his split with Monica Bedi.

The application prays for ban on reports that are untrue and unconfirmed. If confirmed the reports be attributed to sources. The lawyers said there were several reports on television and in print that attributed the information to CBI, especially when the court had already passed an order saying information cannot be made public unless put before the court. The agency also denied giving any such information to media. But the application does not specify any news channel or newspaper. CBI counsel C.S. Sharma said that the replies would be filed by November 21.

The designated judge P.D. Kode heard arguments on the application praying for presence of a defence lawyer in audible distance during Salem's interrogation. He reserved the order for Thursday.

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